Details released on Bergdahl’s return

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was returned to the U.S. military at approximately 10:30 a.m. EDT Saturday in Eastern Afghanistan, a U.S. Defense official said.

A team of U.S. Special Operations Forces, supported by multiple helicopters and overhead surveillance platforms, executed the operation to safely return Bergdahl.

The Special Operations Forces team was made up of a few dozen personnel operating in Afghanistan under the authority of USFOR-A. The team met a group of armed Taliban at a predetermined site to receive Bergdahl. The transfer took place in a matter of hours and proceeded as planned.

“The most important thing to note at this time is that Sgt. Bergdahl is safely back in U.S. hands,” the official said.

Once Bergdahl was safely in the hands of the U.S. military, President Obama notified his family.

“The Bergdahl family has been kept closely informed throughout the process to gain his release,” the official said.

Bergdahl was receiving medical care at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

“His health is our number one priority at this time. Once medical authorities feel he is fit to fly, he will be transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to continue his medical treatment,” the official said. “Upon arrival he will begin the reintegration process which includes time for him to tell his story, decompress, and to reconnect with his family through telephone calls and video conferences.

“At this time we believe that he will physically reunite with his family in Texas.”